South Indian Cinema Sees Flurry of Activity on January 13
January 13 proved to be an exceptionally busy day for the South Indian film industry. Multiple announcements, controversies, and star-driven developments unfolded in rapid succession. From a teaser landing in legal trouble to nostalgia-driven moments making headlines, the industry witnessed sharp developments across the spectrum. Buzz around a major collaboration, a significant release date announcement, and industry legends praising a new film kept audiences and insiders talking throughout the day.
Yash's 'Toxic' Teaser Sparks Political Controversy
The teaser for Yash's upcoming Kannada film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has landed in hot water. A political party's Women's Wing filed a formal complaint with the Karnataka State Women's Commission. The complaint alleges the teaser contains obscene visuals unsuitable for public viewing. It claims these visuals could potentially harm women, children, and minors.
The objection reportedly centers on a specific scene showing the accused entering a car with a woman. Complainants argue this scene outrages decency and cultural ethos. Following the complaint, the issue has escalated into a political row on social media. The teaser now faces intense public and official scrutiny.
Mohanlal Reacquires His Iconic '2255' Vehicle Number
Superstar Mohanlal recently revisited nostalgia by purchasing the iconic '2255' registration number. He famously popularized this number in his classic film Rajavinte Makan. Reports confirm the registration number KL-07 DJ 2255 was auctioned at the Ernakulam RTO.
Mohanlal acquired the number for his new Innova Hycross vehicle. The actor reportedly paid Rs 1.80 lakh for the plate, considering it a lucky charm. The online auction attracted three bidders. The base price started at a modest Rs 10,000 before Mohanlal's representative placed the winning bid. This number holds deep sentimental value for the actor and his fans, having been one of his most memorable on-screen references.
Buzz Intensifies for Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj Collaboration
Speculation is growing around a potential blockbuster collaboration between Allu Arjun and director Lokesh Kanagaraj. The project is tentatively titled AA23, though an official announcement remains pending. Industry tracker reports suggest the film could commence shooting by June or July 2026.
There is also strong buzz that Lokesh Kanagaraj has been offered a massive Rs 75 crore pay cheque for this project. This figure signals a significant jump in remuneration for the director. If this collaboration materializes, it is expected to rank among the costliest actor-director partnerships in recent Indian cinema history.
Vismaya Mohanlal's Debut Film 'Thudakkam' Gets Onam 2026 Release
Vismaya Mohanlal is set to make her much-anticipated acting debut with Thudakkam. The film has now been officially locked for a theatrical release during the Onam 2026 festive season. National Award-winning filmmaker Jude Anthony Joseph directs the project, which has already generated considerable excitement among cinephiles.
Vismaya announced the release date herself and unveiled the film's poster on her social media handle. This move created a significant online buzz. Interestingly, Thudakkam will clash directly with Prithviraj Sukumaran's Khalifa during the festive season, setting up a compelling box-office battle.
Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan Praise Sivakarthikeyan's 'Parasakthi'
Sivakarthikeyan recently shared heartwarming feedback from two Tamil cinema legends. He revealed that Rajinikanth watched his film Parasakthi and described it as a fearless film. Rajinikanth reportedly praised the second half as super, super.
The actor also shared that Kamal Haasan viewed the film before its official release. Kamal spent nearly five minutes praising Parasakthi. According to Sivakarthikeyan, Kamal spoke more about Parasakthi than about Amaran, a moment that left the actor deeply emotional. Receiving such appreciation from these two industry giants overwhelmed Sivakarthikeyan. He admitted the film had truly achieved its intended purpose.
